The Marine Science Institute (MSI) was founded by Robert and Carolyn Rutherford in 1970, around the time that the issue of water resources was becoming a major concern for many Bay Area inhabitants. The Institute’s philosophy was based on the idea that putting students in direct physical contact with their local bay environment will help cultivate their natural sense of curiosity, enrich their understanding of science, and foster a responsibility to protect the environment.
The Discovery Voyage was the Marine Science Institute’s first program and was met with great success. Students were taken aboard the 65′ research vessel Inland Seas, and out onto the water where they encountered live animals, used scientific equipment, and participated in hands-on science. In 1992, the Institute created land-based programs to accommodate more students and welcome younger participants. These included the Shoreside, Inland Voyage, and Tidepool programs. Over the following decades, MSI has continued to grow—expanding programming to include new topics and themes and keeping up with ever-changing educational standards. In its first year, the Discovery Voyage program served about 4,000 students. Today, the Marine Science Institute educates roughly 50,000 students and adults annually through its programs.
The Marine Science Institute provides engaging, interactive, inquiry-based adventures with San Francisco Bay Area marine life. Led by a team of expert marine science educators, these experiences impact learners of all ages. It is their mission to inspire environmental stewardship through hands-on learning and exploration of San Francisco Bay ecosystems.
MSI school programs support the Next Generation Science Standards ((NGSS) through a variety of ways that fit classroom needs including online resources, in-class programs, and field trips. MSI provides a scientific experience built on standards-based activities and a memorable voyage into nature for students of all economic backgrounds. MSI puts students in physical contact with the San Francisco Bay and coast environments to help cultivate their natural sense of curiosity, enrich their understanding of science, and foster a responsibility to protect the environment.
For example, students in kindergarten or older, participate in the Shoreside Program which takes place at their beachfront facility in Redwood City and offers a variety of hands-on activities that challenge students and ignite their curiosity. Students in fourth grade or older, participate in the Discovery Voyage program. They embark on a four-hour expedition on the San Francisco Bay aboard the 90-foot research vessel, the R.V. Robert G. Brownlee. Using research equipment and teamwork, students participate in hands-on science activities collecting live samples and specimens, discovering life in the estuary and how humans are connected to it. Students in sixth grade or older, participate in Canoes in Sloughs. In the program, students discover the local wetland and wildlife, and how humans impact them through an immersive canoe experience. There are many more programs offered, and they are described on the website.
Additionally, MSI offers numerous public programs including afterschool, weekend, homeschool, and independent learners. Afternoon Ecology is an afterschool education program that is perfect for K-5th grade students. Students learn about local habitats around the San Francisco Bay while working in a team with their peers. Students in grades 4-8 can participate in Advanced Ecology which is a 5-week, once-a-week education program for those ready for more complex science theories. Numerous offerings are available throughout the different seasons giving teachers and schools plenty of choices for their students.
MSI provides teachers with numerous resources to help them prepare their students for these programs so that they get the most of their experiences. MSI offers pre-and post-lesson plans, links to websites with pertinent background information and educational materials. All the MSI programs offered to schools are correlated to NGSS. The primary program themes are Human Impact, Food Web, Scientific Method, Biodiversity, and Adaptation.
The fun and learning continue with public programs on Saturdays, during spring break, summer camps, and special events such as birthday parties. MSI programs are fee-based, however, they raise funds all year long to provide scholarships to schools and for summer camps to give as many students as possible the opportunity to participate and discover the wonders of marine ecosystems.
Sounds amazing! If you can hardly wait to get your students out to the shore or on the water to discover the wonders of the San Francisco Bay, contact Ashley Salazar, School Programs Coordinator, at ashley@sfbaymsi.org or at (650) 364-2760 extension 10.